St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-20
ROASTING THE CHIEF.
s Meeting OF Scandinavians Talks
and Resolves against Engineer

s Meeting Of Scandinavian Talks
and Resolves Against Engineer
Sfefson.
There has been considerable indignation
among Scandinavians Of Minneapolis against
Chief Engineer Stetsou, OF the fire depart
ment, and of long standing. Day by day it
has grown, until yesterday evening it took
the form ola public demonstration on the
part of that nationality. At s o'clock over
600 Scandinavians were gathered together at
.Dania hall, on Cedar avenge. among which
some of the most prominent, business and
professional men were seen. DR..
Collins opened the meeting by re-
quest of the committee of arrange
mentS, ard said that its object was to protest
against the recent removals of good and able
men from the Minneapolis fire department.
and for ignoring the Scandinavian nationality
in appointing men to that service. After these
remarks A. C.. Haugan was elected chairman
and John McAlliSter secretary Of the meet
Ing. Aid. Haugan, in opening the proceed
ings OF the meeting, said that he came there
simply in the interest Of justice. He wished,
he said, to protest, with his countrymen,
against the arbitrary conduct of Chief Ster-
son in ignoring man because he happens to
be Scandinavian. He informed the meeting
that only two Scandinavians were at present
in the city fire department, and he thought
this was unfair in the highest degree. He
introduced Col. Mattson, secretary of state,
who, in eloquent language, spoke Y of
the rights of every man regardless
OF nationality. Judge Hollins was the
next speaker, and informed the audience of
the troubles between StetSon and Scallon and
protested also against the removals of the
five men recently discharged by Chief Stet-
son. After him A. W. Dwyer spoke, as did
also Messrs. Husher, J. r. Corrigau, Rev.
Falk Giertson, John Lally, W. H. Dopahue
and Aid. Swanson, all protesting energetically
against the chief. The following resolutions
were unanimously adopted: :;
Whereas, The city council at its first meet
ing elected F. L. Stetson to the position of
chief engineer of the fire department. not
withstanding the indignant protests of the
Scandinavian press and people: and
Whereas, Said Stetson in his entire man.
agement of the fire department has ignored
the Scandinavian citizens in his appointments;
and
Whereas Said Stetson has shown his petty
spite and malice in the removal of old and
tried members of the department without
complaint or trial; and
Whereas, 1t is necessary for the best inter-
est of the fire department and the good of the
public that the fire department should be so
Conducted as to have the entire confidence of
the people. we, the citizens OF South Mime
apolis. without distinction of party, in mass
meeting assembled, respectfully request that
the city council institute an investigation
into the management of the fire department.
and the reasons for the dropping of compe-
tent and tried fremen from the city's employ
without cause or complaint.
Resolved, That a committee of five be ap-
pointed by the chair to present these resou-
lions to the city council at the next meeting
and urge upon its members the recommends
tons embodied in the same.